Red Rose War Ready 2026 TBT Team Preview: New Super Team Built to Chase the $2 Million Championship

Every summer, The Basketball Tournament (TBT) brings together elite alumni squads, professional organizations, and independent programs to compete for the sport’s richest winner-take-all prize. One of the newest and most intriguing entries in the 2026 field is Red Rose War Ready, a powerhouse created by merging two successful programs—Red Rose Thunder and War Ready—into one championship-caliber roster.

Built around experienced professional talent from across the globe, Red Rose War Ready enters TBT with one goal: capturing the tournament’s $2 million grand prize. Combining size, athleticism, scoring, and veteran leadership, the team believes it has all the ingredients necessary to emerge from the Las Vegas side of the bracket and contend for a championship.

With players competing professionally in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the United States, Red Rose War Ready possesses the experience and versatility needed to thrive in TBT’s pressure-packed single-elimination format.

Red Rose War Ready’s Identity in TBT

Unlike traditional alumni teams centered around one university, Red Rose War Ready blends talent from multiple collegiate programs and professional leagues around the world. The team’s identity is built on physical defense, frontcourt strength, and versatile scoring from every position.

This roster features a balanced combination of athletic wings, experienced forwards, skilled post players, and dynamic perimeter scorers capable of taking over games. Their ability to play both inside and outside gives them flexibility against virtually any opponent in the tournament.

With multiple players standing between 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-10, Red Rose War Ready has the size to dominate the paint while still maintaining enough athleticism to push the pace in transition.

Key Strengths

Frontcourt Size and Physicality

One of the biggest advantages for Red Rose War Ready is its size. Babatunde Akingbola, Tavares Sledge, LaRon Smith, and Antonio Hester provide an imposing interior presence capable of controlling rebounds, protecting the rim, and finishing around the basket.

Professional Experience

Every core player has competed professionally overseas or in respected domestic leagues. That experience should prove invaluable in close games where composure and execution often determine who advances.

Versatile Offensive Attack

Red Rose War Ready has scoring threats throughout the lineup. Whether attacking inside through its forwards and centers or relying on explosive guard play from Jarron Cumberland and Jordan Henderson, the offense has multiple ways to pressure opposing defenses.

The 2026 Red Rose War Ready Roster

Antonio Hester

Hester enters TBT following a professional season with Terrafirma Dyip in the Philippines. The versatile 6-foot-7 forward is capable of defending multiple positions while providing reliable scoring, rebounding, and athleticism on both ends of the floor.

Tavares Sledge

Sledge joins the roster after playing for the Frederick Flying Cows of The Basketball League. Standing 6-foot-10, he gives Red Rose War Ready another physical frontcourt presence capable of rebounding, protecting the paint, and finishing around the rim.

Jarron Cumberland

One of the team’s premier offensive weapons, Cumberland returns after competing for Maccabi Raanana in Israel. The former Cincinnati standout is an accomplished scorer who can create his own shot, knock down perimeter jumpers, and serve as the primary offensive catalyst during crucial moments.

His experience at both the collegiate and professional levels makes him one of the roster’s most dangerous players.

Babatunde Akingbola

The 6-foot-10 center comes to TBT after playing for Gigantes de San Francisco in the Dominican Republic. Akingbola provides rim protection, rebounding, and interior defense while giving the team a dependable presence in the paint.

LaRon Smith

Smith serves a dual role as both player and general manager while continuing his professional career with Fibwi Palma in Spain. The experienced forward has competed at Georgia State, Bethune-Cookman, and Auburn before building an international résumé.

His leadership, versatility, and basketball IQ make him one of the team’s most valuable pieces on and off the court.

Jordan Henderson

Henderson joins the squad after a successful season with Rayos de Hermosillo in Mexico. The former Canisius standout is a skilled shooting guard capable of stretching defenses with his perimeter shooting while also creating offense off the dribble.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

One of the most recognizable athletes in the tournament, Rodgers-Cromartie brings elite athleticism after a distinguished NFL career with multiple organizations, most recently the Washington Commanders. The former Tennessee State standout adds defensive intensity, competitiveness, and unique versatility while continuing his transition back to competitive basketball.

Coaching Staff and Front Office

Red Rose War Ready is led by head coach Malin Morrison, who oversees a talented roster assembled to compete immediately for a TBT championship.

General manager and owner Matt Moschella has helped build one of the tournament’s newest super teams by combining the talent of Red Rose Thunder and War Ready into a single championship contender.

Assistant coach and general manager Lucas Morrison provides additional leadership and player development while helping prepare the team for TBT’s demanding single-elimination format.

The organization also receives valuable support from sponsors The Reserve Fleet and World Tour, whose backing has helped establish Red Rose War Ready as one of the tournament’s most ambitious independent entries.

Why Red Rose War Ready Can Win TBT

Outstanding Size

Few teams can match Red Rose War Ready’s combination of length, strength, and athleticism. Their ability to control the paint could become a major advantage throughout the tournament.

Experienced Professionals

With players competing across Europe, Asia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines, this roster understands how to perform in high-pressure situations against quality competition.

Balanced Scoring

The roster doesn’t rely on one star. Multiple players can score in double figures on any given night, making the offense difficult to defend over the course of a tournament run.

Areas That Need Improvement

Building Chemistry

Because this team combines two established organizations into one roster, developing chemistry quickly will be essential during the early rounds of the tournament.

Perimeter Consistency

While Red Rose War Ready has several capable shooters, maintaining consistent three-point efficiency will help maximize the team’s interior advantages.

Guard Depth

The frontcourt is among the team’s biggest strengths, but maintaining consistent ball handling and perimeter creation against elite defensive pressure will be an important factor throughout TBT.

2026 Outlook

Red Rose War Ready enters the 2026 TBT as one of the tournament’s most intriguing newcomers. The merger of Red Rose Thunder and War Ready has created a roster loaded with experienced professionals, talented scorers, and physical frontcourt players capable of matching up with anyone in the field.

If the team develops chemistry early and capitalizes on its size advantage, Red Rose War Ready has every opportunity to make a deep run through the Las Vegas bracket while competing for the tournament’s $2 million winner-take-all prize.

Conclusion

Red Rose War Ready represents the successful union of two accomplished basketball programs determined to compete at the highest level of The Basketball Tournament. Featuring professional experience from leagues around the world, outstanding frontcourt depth, and proven offensive talent, this team possesses the tools necessary to challenge the tournament’s elite.

Led by head coach Malin Morrison and supported by a strong front office, Red Rose War Ready enters Las Vegas with legitimate championship aspirations. If the roster quickly develops chemistry and plays to its strengths, this newly formed powerhouse has the talent to become one of the biggest stories of the 2026 TBT while making a serious push toward the $2 million championship.